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Exit Polls Show Reprieve for Scholz as SPD Fends Off Far Right in Brandenburg Election

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) appear to have narrowly held off the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the Brandenburg state election, according to exit polls. Despite trailing for much of the campaign, the SPD garnered 31.8% of the vote, while the AfD followed closely with 29.2%, according to ZDF broadcaster exit polls. This success may provide temporary relief for Scholz amid ongoing discussions within the SPD about his potential candidacy for the federal election in September 2025.

However, the victory is unlikely to significantly boost Scholz’s standing as Dietmar Woidke, Brandenburg’s SPD premier, distanced himself from the Chancellor and criticized federal policies during the campaign. SPD General Secretary Kevin Kuehnert acknowledged the party’s challenges but noted that the SPD had staged a “furious comeback” in the final weeks of the election.

According to an ARD exit poll, three-quarters of SPD voters cast their ballots to prevent the AfD from gaining control, with turnout reaching 73%, up from 61% in the previous election. On a national level, the SPD is polling at just 15%, significantly behind the opposition conservatives at 32% and the AfD at around 20%.

The election also highlighted growing dissatisfaction with Scholz’s coalition government, which has faced criticism for its internal conflicts and handling of immigration. Voters in eastern Germany have been particularly critical of the government’s support for Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion.

The election follows the AfD’s recent historic win in Thuringia, where it became the first far-right party to top a state election since World War II. In Brandenburg, the AfD gained 5.7 percentage points compared to the last election in 2019, signaling continued momentum. AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla noted strong support from young voters, echoing trends seen in far-right parties across Europe.

Meanwhile, the newly formed leftist Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht came in third with 12%, followed by the conservatives at 11.6%. This result underscores the ongoing shifts in Germany’s political landscape, making future predictions difficult. The Greens, a junior partner in Scholz’s federal coalition, fell just short of the 5% threshold needed to enter the state parliament, while the Free Democrats (FDP) failed to make a significant impact.

 

Germany Tightens Borders Amid Rising Far-Right Pressure, Marking the End of ‘Welcome Culture’

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Germany has reintroduced border controls with several European countries, signaling a dramatic shift from its once liberal migration policies known as Wilkommenskultur. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government announced the reinstatement of controls at borders with Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, France, Denmark, and others. These actions come as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party gains influence, pushing migration issues to the forefront of national debates.

Once a symbol of open borders, Germany is now responding to growing domestic pressure. The AfD, which has campaigned strongly on anti-immigration platforms, capitalized on recent terror attacks involving migrants and has seen electoral success in former East German states like Thuringia and Saxony. Their rise, along with public discontent over migration, has forced Scholz to tighten border policies, despite the potential backlash from EU neighbors.

AfD co-leader Alice Weidel has criticized Germany’s past approach, claiming the country had “become a place where anyone can enter unchecked.” As the AfD grows in prominence, Scholz’s government faces challenges in maintaining support, especially as polls in Brandenburg suggest further losses for the ruling Social Democratic Party.

Germany’s new stance represents a significant departure from the policies of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who opened the country’s doors to millions of refugees in 2015. The shift also poses a challenge to the broader Schengen zone, as growing concerns over migration lead to stricter border control measures across Europe.

Germany Tightens Migration Controls, Stirring Tensions in Europe

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Germany has initiated new controls at all its land borders as part of an intensified crackdown on migration, significantly affecting the Schengen Zone’s free movement. Starting Monday, border controls have been expanded beyond existing checks with Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland to now include France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark. The German Interior Ministry has confirmed that these restrictions, allowing the rejection of individuals at all land borders, will initially last for six months.

The shift underscores Germany’s evolving stance on migration, which has toughened significantly since the country welcomed over one million refugees during the 2015-2016 migrant crisis under former Chancellor Angela Merkel. With a surge in far-right opposition, Germany, like other European nations, is tightening its rules on migration, facing increasing domestic pressure to act.

The move follows Germany’s recent agreement with Kenya, which will allow skilled and semi-skilled Kenyan workers to migrate to Germany. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized that the new rules are necessary to “strengthen internal security” and combat threats from Islamist terrorism and cross-border crime.

However, this decision has sparked criticism from Germany’s European neighbors and raised concerns over the future of Schengen Zone unity. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the new border controls “unacceptable,” while Austria and Greece have stated that they will not accept migrants rejected by Germany. The German Council for Migration warned that the policy could violate EU law, describing it as “populism” in migration policy.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government faces increasing pressure to address the rise in uncontrolled immigration, especially following a fatal terror attack in Solingen, where a Syrian man with alleged ties to ISIS was involved. The crackdown reflects an effort to counter the growing influence of Germany’s far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), known for its anti-immigrant stance.